From: Heritage Primitive Baptist Church here in Huntsville, as well as Fair Haven P.B. Church in south Georgia, and Crosbyton P.B. Church in Crosbyton, Texas.

For: a missions trip to preach the gospel and to teach the people over there about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Objective: It has been my desire for many years to travel to India or the Philippines, where I knew there was a desire to hear about the gospel. I knew there were several orphanages wherein I would be able to work with the children.

My main goal in going was to share the love of Jesus with the people in India, as well as to teach them about general health care techniques.

What you learned: India is a completely different world than we live in here.

It is such a poor country, at least in the areas where we were. It is very dirty, but the people there are so thankful for everything they have.

This is what struck me most: The fact that they have so little, and yet they are so thankful! It is quite a contrast to how we, in America, live. We have everything, and yet are never satisfied. They have nothing, but are the happiest and most content people! That is a big lesson I took from the people in India.

The second thing I would say I gained was there passion for living. They are so passionate about God, and about their beliefs! It really struck me, and impressed upon me the desire to be more passionate about my beliefs.

A success: One experience that really stands out to me was with one of the girls at an orphanage we were working in. We had noticed that she seemed to have a pretty bad attitude when dealing with the other girls and just people in general.

The next day at lunch I asked one of the other girls what her name was. Later in the day I called her, Geta, by name, to come and see me. She initially gave me a look as if to say, "What? You know my name?"

I called her again, and this time she ran to me!

For the rest of the time we were at that orphanage, she was my little tag-along. She would always run up to me, grab my hand, and follow me wherever I was going.

We noticed a significant change in the way she acted after that. I believe that what she really needed was just for someone to show her that they cared for her, and to take the time with her.

Cost: The cost per person was roughly $1,400 for the ticket, and we individually all took some extra money for transportation and hotel bills.

Don't get the wrong idea when I say, "hotel." It was certainly nothing extravagant. I'm not complaining in the least; we at least had fans there. I'm just making sure this doesn't come across as a vacation!

I paid for my ticket with my own money and from donations from family and friends.(ASCII character 13)

Report local and global mission work to kay.campbell@htimes.com, 532-4320.